Ultrasound Guided Injections

Musculoskeletal ultrasound uses sound waves to develop images of joints, bones, muscles and tendons. When using an injection to deliver treatment into painful joints, it is necessary to be exact and precise. MSK ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless way to improve the accuracy of treatment by creating a real time image of the anatomy and needle placement. Adjustments in depth or angle can be made immediately, resulting in a faster and more accurate procedure.

Ultrasound guided injections are administered in a similar fashion to traditional injections. The needle and syringe are the same. Once our physicians have identified the anatomic landmarks, the injection is administered while watching the needle with the ultrasound. The entire procedure often takes less than 20 minutes.

Here are some of the pain relief options we offer:

Orthovisc

Orthovisc, used for knee pain and joint fluid treatment, consists of hyaluronan, a naturally occurring lubricant found in healthy knee joints. It is injected directly into the knee joint and acts to replace your natural joint fluid. It also helps to cushion, protect and lubricate your knee joint. Orthovisc is indicated in the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis of the knee and in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and to simple analgesics (e.g. acetaminophen). In clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse events were arthralgia, back pain, and headache. Other side effects included temporary pain at the local injection site.

Synvisc

Synvisc is injected directly into the knee over the course of three doctor visits given one week apart. Since its injected directly into the knee it has fewer serious side effects than pills, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. Synvisc is a type of treatment called a viscosupplement that lubricates and cushions the knee to relieve pain and can allow you to move more freely for up to 6 months.

Euflexxa

Euflexxa is a gel-like, natural, and highly purified form of hyaluronic acid. Like the other pain relief injectables, Euflexxa is injected directly into the knee joint and can provide relief for several months.